Events
Palm Springs has many events that come around every year at the same time. Here is a list of most of them. Check the websites to confirm exact dates. For a daily calendar of local events, check here.
January
Palm Springs International Film Festival
January 5-16, 2023 – A star-studded award gala kicks off a week of new film screenings and events. Directors and stars host many Q&A panels after the movies.
February
Tour de Palm Springs
TBS mid-February 2023 – A charity bike ride with class and distance categories for every skill level.
Intersect Palm Springs
TBS – mid February 2023 – A weekend-long contemporary art show at the Palm Springs Convention center, with a VIP gala on Thursday night.
Modernism Week
TBS – mid February 2023 – A celebration of Palm Springs rich mid-century architecture and all things “modern”. Featuring home tours, parties, and a great three hour city tour on a double decker bus.
Riverside County Fair and Date Festival
TBS – late February, 2023- A large county fair with rides and food booths, with an emphasis on the local date harvest. If you’ve ever had a hankering to try deep fried foods on a stick, this is your chance!
Int'l Bear Convergence
TBS late February 2023 – A four day event for gay bears and admirers, with pool parties, pop-up shops, and concerts.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
TBS late February 2023 – Held twice a year, in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
Greek Festival
TBS – late February ???? – Weekend event in Palm Desert, with music, food, and dancing,
March
La Quinta Art Celebration
TBS early March 2023 – More than 200 artists, gourmet food court, cocktails and live entertainment.
BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament
TBS early March 2023 – Acclaimed tennis tournament with celebrity sports figures in Indian Wells. The tournament is a Masters 1000 event on the men’s tour and is a WTA 1000 event event on the women’s tour.
Desert Open Studios Art
TBS mid March 2023 – Free, self-guided tour of Coachella Valley artists and studios.
El Paseo Fashion Week
TBS late March 2023 – A fashion show that highlights avant-garde designs and top designers from the fashion world. With exclusive trunk shows, runway events and parties.
Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival
TBS late March 2023 – Tasting event with more than 60 restaurants and 40 wineries, breweries and distilleries. Music, classes, and more.
April
Indian Wells Arts Festival
April 1-3, 2022 – Jazz music, cocktails, and the works of over 200 artists. At the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens.
Opera in the Park
April 3, 2022 – A free Sunday event with some great up-and-coming opera singers. It’s often nice weather for a day in the park, but bring some shade or purchase a VIP ticket.
Coachella Music Festival
April 15-17 & 22-24, 2022 – Huge two-weekend music and art festival in Indio, with events and parties in the area in between weekends.
Stagecoach
April 29 – May 1, 2022 – Like Coachella Music Festival but with country acts, mainstream or relatively unknown ranging from folk, mainstream country, bluegrass, roots rock, and alternative country.
White Party
April 29 – May 1, 2022 – Weekend-long gay dance party with multiple events, pool parties, and celebrity headliners.
May
Oasis Music Festival
May 11-15, 2022 – An all-genre festival with performances that will take place throughout the City of Palm Springs.
June
Palm Springs Restaurant Week
June 3-12, 2022 – Dozens of restaurants in the Coachella Valley participate with special 3 course pre-fixe menus. A great time to try out a new restaurant.
ShortFest Film Festival
June 21-27, 2022 – International festival of short films with screenings, panels, and Q&A’s by the actors and directors.
August
Splash House
Two weekends: August 12-14 and 19-21 2022 – Poolside parties with DJ’s, hosted by multiple hotels.
September
Cinema Diverse
TBS – Mid September 2022 – LGBTQ+ Film Festival featuring films, filmmakers, and other forms of LGBTQ+ art and live performances.
The Dinah
September 21-26, 2022 – Five-day weekend getaway and music festival catering to the lesbian community. Featuring pool parties, night entertainment, live concerts, comedy shows, and sports.
October
Modernism Fall Preview
Oct. 13-16, 2022 – A scaled down version of the big February Modernism Week event. A good chance to do the bus tours and some home tours and parties without the crowds.
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours
TBS October 2022 – Three weekends of open homes and studios in the hi-desert from Morongo Valley to Twentynine Palms. If you like the high desert area, this is a great chance to meet some locals and see some great (and not so great) art.
November
Palm Springs Gay Pride
November 4-6, 2022 – A celebration of the LGBT community featuring a free festival downtown with booths, food, and entertainment. Parade is Sunday down Palm Canyon. Everybody welcome.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
November 18-20 2022 – Held twice a year in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
December
Palm Springs Festival of Lights
TBS- early December 2022 – Fun and very popular Christmas parade through downtown Palm Springs. Some restaurants offer premium seating on their patios.
International Tamale Festival
December 3/4, 2022 – An outdoor festival in Indio celebrating tamales. From sweet to savory. Look for the booths with the longest lines to know which are best.